Electronic cigarette

ABSTRACT

An electronic cigarette includes a power supply device, a sensing unit, an atomizer, a liquid storage structure and a fluid transportation device. The atomizer includes an electric heater and a liquid conduit. The liquid conduit has an input port at one end and plural perforations at the other end, and the electric heater is disposed around the liquid conduit. The liquid storage structure includes a passageway and a liquid container. A cigarette liquid is stored in the liquid container. The fluid transportation device includes an input channel and an output channel. The input channel is in communication with the liquid container. The output channel is in communication with the liquid conduit of the atomizer. The cigarette liquid is transferred to the atomizer at a certain amount. Consequently, an atomized vapor is generated.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette, and moreparticularly to an electronic cigarette with a fluid transportationdevice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays, electronic cigarettes are widely used to replace theconventional tobacco cigarettes. FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectionalview illustrating a conventional electronic cigarette. FIG. 1B is aschematic cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of theatomizer of the conventional electronic cigarette. As shown in FIGS. 1Aand 1B, the electronic cigarette comprises a first casing 1 a, a secondcasing 1 b, a power supply device 2, a sensing unit 3, an atomizer 4 anda liquid storage structure 5. The first casing 1 a and the second casing1 b are thin-wall metal pipes, e.g., stainless steel pipes. The powersupply device 2, the sensing unit 3, the atomizer 4 and the liquidstorage structure 5 are disposed within the first casing 1 a and thesecond casing 1 b. After the first casing 1 a and the second casing 1 bare combined together, the electronic cigarette is assembled. The lengthand diameter of the electronic cigarette are similar to those of theconventional tobacco cigarette. The power supply device 2 and thesensing unit 3 are disposed within the first casing 1 a. The firstcasing 1 a comprises at least one inlet 1 c, which is disposed near thesensing unit 3. The atomizer 4 and the liquid storage structure 5 aredisposed within the second casing 1 b. The atomizer 4 is fixed andsupported on a bracket 7. The atomizer 4 comprises an electric heater41, a liquid infiltration part 42 and a liquid transfer part 43. Theliquid infiltration part 42 is disposed around the electric heater 41.The liquid transfer part 43 tightly holds the liquid infiltration part42. The electric heater 41 has a hollow structure. The liquid storagestructure 5 is disposed within the second casing 1 b. The liquid storagestructure 5 comprises a passageway 51 and a liquid container 52. Thepassageway 51 is formed within the liquid storage structure 5 forallowing the gas to pass through. The liquid container 52 is disposedaround the passageway 51. A communication part 431 of the liquidtransfer part 43 of the atomizer 4 is contacted with the liquidcontainer 52. Consequently, the cigarette liquid in the liquid container52 can be absorbed by the liquid infiltration part 42 through thecommunication part 431 of the liquid transfer part 43. Moreover, anintake-and-electric-connection element 10 is disposed between theatomizer 4 and the sensing unit 3. An airflow path is defined by theintake-and-electric-connection element 10. Moreover, theintake-and-electric-connection element 10 is in communication with thepassageway 51 of the liquid storage structure 5. After the ambientairflow is fed into the at least one inlet 1 c, the airflow istransferred to the passageway 51 of the liquid storage structure 5through the sensing unit 3 and the electric heater 41. The electroniccigarette further comprises an electrode ring 8. The electrode ring 8 iselectrically connected with two pins of the electric heater 41.Moreover, the electrode ring 8 is electrically connected with the powersupply device 2 through the electric connection between theintake-and-electric-connection element 10 and the sensing unit 3. Theelectric circuit of the electronic cigarette is selectively enabled ordisabled according to the result of sensing the airflow by the sensingunit 3. In one embodiment, the sensing unit 3 can switch on or off theelectric circuit of the power supply device 2 according to the airflowdetected by the sensing unit 3. Moreover, a mouthpiece 9 is disposed onan end of the second casing 1 b and in communication with the passageway51 of the liquid storage structure 5.

The operations of the electronic cigarette will be described as follows.As mentioned above, the cigarette liquid in the liquid container 52 canbe absorbed by the liquid infiltration part 42 through the communicationpart 431 of the liquid transfer part 43. When the user smokes andinhales the air through the mouthpiece 9, the airflow flows through theelectronic cigarette. According to the sensing result of the sensingunit 3, the electric circuit of the electronic cigarette is enabled.After the electric circuit of the electronic cigarette is enabled, thepower supply device 2 provides electric power to the electrode ring 8.Consequently, the electric heater 41 is enabled to heat the cigaretteliquid. Meanwhile, the cigarette liquid in the liquid infiltration part42 is heated and atomized by the electric heater 41. Consequently, theuser inhales the atomized vapor from the passageway 51 of the liquidstorage structure 5 through the mouthpiece 9. When the user stopssmoking, the airflow does not flow through the electronic cigarette.According to the sensing result of the sensing unit 3, the electriccircuit of the electronic cigarette is disabled. Meanwhile, the electricheater 41 stops heating the cigarette liquid.

As mentioned above, the cigarette liquid is transferred to the liquidinfiltration part 42 through the communication part 431 of the liquidtransfer part 43. However, this design has some drawbacks.

Firstly, it is difficult to precisely control the amount of thecigarette liquid to be transferred to the liquid infiltration part 42through the communication part 431 of the liquid transfer part 43.Consequently, the cigarette liquid is not uniformly absorbed by theliquid infiltration part 42. In case that a site of the liquidinfiltration part 42 absorbs a small amount of the cigarette liquid, theliquid drop is not uniformly generated. After the liquid drop of thecigarette liquid is heated by the electric heater 41, the atomized vaporhas a burning taste that is unpleasing to the user.

Secondly, since the amount of the cigarette liquid to be transferred tothe liquid infiltration part 42 cannot be precisely controlled, anotherproblem occurs. Especially when the mouthpiece 9 faces up, the force ofgravity continuously transfers the cigarette liquid from the liquidcontainer 52 to the liquid infiltration part 42. Once the cigaretteliquid absorbed by the liquid infiltration part 42 reaches a saturationstate, the cigarette liquid drops down to the bracket 7 and theintake-and-electric-connection element 10. Then, the cigarette liquiddrops down through the sensing unit 3 and leaks out from the at leastone inlet 1 c. Meanwhile, a liquid leakage problem occurs.

Moreover, there are some differences between the electronic cigarettesand the real cigarettes. For example, when people smoke the realcigarettes, they are accustomed to smoking quickly, shortly andlaboriously. Whereas, people smoke the electronic cigarettes lengthilyand gently. While the user smokes the real cigarette and inhales a greatamount of oxygen gas, the user can quickly get the wanted amount ofsmoke because the tobacco is burnt and atomized faster. However, whilethe user smokes the conventional electronic cigarette, the electricpower to be transmitted to the electric heater and the heating speedcannot be adjusted. If the heating speed is too fast, the cigaretteliquid is atomized by the atomizer very quickly. Since the cigaretteliquid of the conventional electronic cigarette is provided according toa siphon effect, the speed of providing the cigarette liquid is tooslow. Under this circumstance, the amount of the atomized vapor isinsufficient or the atomized is burnt out. Since the electric powertransmitted to the atomizer of the conventional electronic cigarette isfixed, the user has to smoke the electronic cigarette lengthily andgently to provide a sufficient heating time to the atomizer. That is,the conventional method of atomizing the cigarette liquid of theelectronic cigarette still has some drawbacks. The above problems leadto significant differences between the real cigarette and the electroniccigarette. Because of these drawbacks, the user does not prefer tochoose the electronic cigarette in replace of the real cigarette.

For solving the drawbacks of the conventional technologies, the presentinvention provides an improved electronic cigarette.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention provides an electronic cigarette. Thecooperation of a fluid transportation device and a liquid conduit of anatomizer forms a controllable switch element. The amount of thecigarette liquid to be transferred to the atomizer is preciselycontrolled by the controllable switch element. Consequently, the tasteof the atomized vapor is enhanced, and the liquid leakage problem issolved.

Another object of the present invention provides an electronic cigarettefor allowing the user to inhale a great amount of atomized vaporquickly. The electronic cigarette includes an airflow sensor and an airpressure sensor. The air pressure sensor issues a detection signal tothe control module according to the result of detecting the pressure ofthe airflow. According to the detection signal, a control module adjuststhe speed of atomizing the cigarette liquid and the speed of providingthe cigarette liquid. That is, the control signal from the controlmodule is adjusted according to the detection signal. Since the drivingfrequency of the fluid transportation device and the driving power ofthe heater module are correspondingly changed according to the controlsignal, the speed of atomizing the cigarette liquid and the speed ofproviding the cigarette liquid are adjusted. Consequently, the user caninhale a great amount of atomized vapor quickly, or the user can inhalethe same amount of atomized vapor.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is providedan electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette includes a powersupply device, a sensing unit, an atomizer, a liquid storage structure,a fluid transportation device, a casing and a mouthpiece. The powersupply device provides a driving power and a control signal. An electriccircuit of the power supply device is selectively enabled or disabledaccording to a result of detecting an airflow by the sensing unit. Theatomizer includes an electric heater and a liquid conduit. The liquidconduit has an input port at one end and plural perforations at theother end, and the electric heater is disposed around the liquidconduit. The liquid storage structure includes a passageway and a liquidcontainer. The airflow is allowed to pass through the passageway. Acigarette liquid is stored in the liquid container. The fluidtransportation device includes an input channel and an output channel.The input channel is in communication with the liquid container. Theoutput channel is in communication with the input port of the liquidconduit of the atomizer. The cigarette liquid is transferred from theliquid container to the liquid conduit through the fluid transportationdevice and transferred to the outside of the liquid conduit through theplural perforations. Consequently, the cigarette liquid is transferredto the electric heater of the atomizer at a certain amount. After thecigarette liquid is heated by the electric heater, an atomized vapor isgenerated. The power supply device, the sensing unit, the fluidtransportation device, the atomizer, the liquid storage structure and anintake-and-electric-connection element are disposed within the casing.The casing has an inlet for the airflow to pass through. After theairflow is fed into the inlet, the airflow passes through the sensingunit and the passageway of the liquid storage structure along an airflowpath. The fluid transportation device and the electric heater of theatomizer are electrically connected with the power supply device and thesensing unit through the intake-and-electric-connection element. Themouthpiece is located at an end of the casing and in communication withthe passageway of the liquid storage structure. The mouthpiece has amouth. The atomized vapor is transferred through the passageway of theliquid storage structure and the mouth.

The above contents of the present invention will become more readilyapparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing thefollowing detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a conventionalelectronic cigarette;

FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the structureof the atomizer of the conventional electronic cigarette;

FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an electroniccigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating some componentsnear the power supply device of the electronic cigarette according tothe embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating some componentsnear the atomizer of the electronic cigarette according to theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2D is a schematic top view illustrating the structure of theatomizer of the electronic cigarette according to the embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating the powersupply device of the electronic cigarette according to the embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the fluidtransportation device of the electronic cigarette according to theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a schematic exploded view illustrating the fluidtransportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along a front side;

FIG. 5B is a schematic exploded view illustrating the fluidtransportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along a rear side;

FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view illustrating the valve body ofthe fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along the frontside;

FIG. 6B is a schematic perspective view illustrating the valve body ofthe fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along the rear side;

FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view illustrating the valve chamberseat of the fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along thefront side;

FIG. 7B is a schematic perspective view illustrating the valve chamberseat of the fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along therear side;

FIG. 8 is a schematic top view illustrating the valve membrane of thefluid transportation device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the outer sleeve ofthe fluid transportation device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10A is a schematic perspective view illustrating the valve cover ofthe fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along the frontside;

FIG. 10B is a schematic perspective view illustrating the valve cover ofthe fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along the rear side;

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the assembledstructure of the fluid transportation device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12A is a schematic view illustrating the operations of the fluidtransportation device in a first situation; and

FIG. 12B is a schematic view illustrating the operations of the fluidtransportation device in a second situation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described more specifically withreference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that thefollowing descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention arepresented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise formdisclosed.

FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an electroniccigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2Bis a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating some components nearthe power supply device of the electronic cigarette according to theembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2C is a schematiccross-sectional view illustrating some components near the atomizer ofthe electronic cigarette according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the electronic cigarette ofthe present invention comprises a casing 1, a power supply device 2, asensing unit 3, an atomizer 4, a liquid storage structure 5, a fluidtransportation device 6 and a mouthpiece 9. The casing 1 is acombination of a first casing 1 a and a second casing 1 b. The secondcasing 1 b is replaceable. The first casing 1 a and the second casing 1b are thin-wall metal pipes, e.g., stainless steel pipes. After thefirst casing 1 a and the second casing 1 b are combined together, theelectronic cigarette is assembled. The length and diameter of theelectronic cigarette are similar to those of the conventional tobaccocigarette. The power supply device 2 and the sensing unit 3 are disposedwithin the first casing 1 a. The first casing 1 a comprises at least oneinlet 1 c, which is disposed near the sensing unit 3.

FIG. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating the powersupply device of the electronic cigarette according to the embodiment ofthe present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the power supply device 2comprises a power module 21, a control module 22, a heater module 23 anda light emitting diode 24. The power module 21 is a rechargeable batteryor a disposable battery for providing a driving power to the controlmodule 22, the heater module 23 and the sensing unit 3. The controlmodule 22 provides a first control signal to the heater module 23 andprovides a second control signal to the fluid transportation device 6.The heater module 23 provides electric energy to the atomizer 4. Thelight emitting diode 24 is located at a front end of the first casing 1a. Under control of the control module 22, the light emitting diode 24is turned on or turned off to provide or not provide a prompt signal soas to indicate the operating condition of the electronic cigarette orprovides a prompt signal with varied intensity so as to indicate theintensity of the atomized vapor.

Please refer to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C again. The sensing unit 3 isdisposed within the first casing 1 a. There is an airflow chamber 1 dbetween the sensing unit 3 and the power supply device 2. After theambient airflow is introduced into the airflow chamber 1 d through theat least one inlet 1 c, the airflow passes through the sensing unit 3along an airflow path. In an embodiment, the sensing unit 3 includes anairflow sensor 31 and an air pressure sensor 32. The airflow sensor 31issues a detection signal to the control module 22 according to theresult of detecting the airflow. Consequently, the electric connectionof the power supply device 2 is selectively established or interrupted.That is, the control module 22 of the power supply device 2 isselectively enabled or disabled to provide the control signal and theheater module 23 is selectively provide the electric energy to theatomizer 4. The air pressure sensor 32 issues a detection signal to thecontrol module 22 according to the result of detecting the pressure ofthe airflow. According to the detection signal, the control module 22adjusts the speed of atomizing the cigarette liquid and the speed ofproviding the cigarette liquid. That is, the control signal from thecontrol module 22 is adjusted according to the detection signal. Sincethe driving frequency of the fluid transportation device 6 and thedriving power of the heater module 23 are correspondingly changedaccording to the control signal, the speed of atomizing the cigaretteliquid and the speed of providing the cigarette liquid are adjusted.Moreover, an intake-and-electric-connection element 10 is disposedbetween the atomizer 4 and the sensing unit 3. The power supply device 2is electrically connected with the atomizer 4 and the fluidtransportation device 6 through the intake-and-electric-connectionelement 10. The airflow channel corresponding to the sensing unit 3 isin communication with the second casing 1 b through theintake-and-electric-connection element 10.

FIG. 2D is a schematic top view illustrating the structure of theatomizer of the electronic cigarette according to the embodiment of thepresent invention. Please refer to FIGS. 2A, 2C and 2D. The atomizer 4is disposed within the second casing 1 b. The atomizer 4 is fixed andsupported on a fixing seat 71 of a bracket 7. The atomizer 4 comprisesan electric heater 41 and a liquid conduit 44. In one embodiment, theelectric heater 41 is disposed on a first end of the passageway 51. Theelectric heater 41 has a hollow structure. The two pins (not shown) ofthe electric heater 41 are electrically connected with the power supplydevice 2 and the sensing unit 3 through theintake-and-electric-connection element 10. According to the flowingcondition of the airflow detected by the sensing unit 3, the electricheater 41 is controlled to selectively heat or stop heating. The liquidconduit 44 is a tube for transferring liquid. Preferably but notexclusively, the liquid conduit 44 is a stainless steel tube. The liquidconduit 44 is disposed on the fixing seat 71 and has an input port 441at one end and plural perforations 442 at the other end. The electricheater 41 is disposed on the fixing seat 71 and disposed around theliquid conduit 44. The fixing seat 71 has a channel 72.

Please refer to FIGS. 2A and 2C. The liquid storage structure 5 isdisposed within the second casing 1 b. The liquid storage structure 5comprises a passageway 51 and a liquid container 52. The passageway 51is formed within the liquid storage structure 5 for allowing the gas topass through. The cigarette liquid is stored in the liquid container 52.Moreover, the liquid container 52 is in communication with an inputchannel 6 a of the fluid transportation device 6. In accordance with afeature of the present invention, the fluid transportation device 6 isused as a switch element for selectively allowing the cigarette liquidfrom the liquid container 52 to pass through. The fluid transportationdevice 6 is supported and positioned in the second casing 1 b through asupporting seat 1 e. The supporting seat 1 e has a gas channel 1 f. Anoutput channel 6 b of the fluid transportation device 6 is incommunication with the input port 441 of the liquid conduit 44 of theatomizer 4. When the fluid transportation device 6 is enabled, thecigarette liquid is transferred from the liquid container 52 to theliquid conduit 44 through the fluid transportation device 6 and thentransferred to the outside of the liquid conduit 44 through theperforations 442. Meanwhile, the cigarette liquid is heated and atomizedby the electric heater 41. Moreover, the passageway 51 of the liquidstorage structure 5 is in communication with theintake-and-electric-connection element 10 through the gas channel 72 ofthe fixing seat 71 and the gas channel 1 f of the supporting seat 1 e.After the ambient airflow is fed into the at least one inlet 1 c, theairflow is transferred to the passageway 51 of the liquid storagestructure 5 through the sensing unit 3 and the electric heater 41 of theatomizer 4.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the fluidtransportation device of the electronic cigarette according to theembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a schematic explodedview illustrating the fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 and takenalong a front side. FIG. 5B is a schematic exploded view illustratingthe fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along a rear side.FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view illustrating the valve body ofthe fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along the frontside. FIG. 6B is a schematic perspective view illustrating the valvebody of the fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along therear side. FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view illustrating thevalve chamber seat of the fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 andtaken along the front side. FIG. 7B is a schematic perspective viewillustrating the valve chamber seat of the fluid transportation deviceof FIG. 4 and taken along the rear side.

Please refer to FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B. The fluidtransportation device 6 comprises a valve body 63, a valve membrane 64,a valve chamber seat 65, an actuator 66 and an outer sleeve 67. Afterthe valve body 63, the valve membrane 64, the valve chamber seat 65 andthe actuator 66 are sequentially stacked on each other, the combinationof the valve body 63, the valve membrane 64, the valve chamber seat 65and the actuator 66 is accommodated within the outer sleeve 67 andassembled with the outer sleeve 67.

The valve body 63 and the valve chamber seat 65 are the main componentsfor guiding the fluid to be inputted into or outputted from of the fluidtransportation device 6. The valve body 63 comprises an inlet passage631 and an outlet passage 632. The inlet passage 631 and the outletpassage 632 penetrate a first surface 633 and a second surface 634 ofthe valve body 63. An inlet via 6311 is formed in the second surface 634and in communication with the inlet passage 631. Moreover, a groove 6341is formed in the second surface 634 and disposed around the inlet via6311. A protrusion block 6343 is disposed on the periphery of the inletvia 6311. An outlet via 6321 is formed in the second surface 634 and incommunication with the outlet passage 632. A groove 6342 is disposedaround the outlet via 6321. Moreover, plural recesses 63 b are formed inthe second surface 634 of the valve body 63.

The valve chamber seat 65 comprises a third surface 655, a fourthsurface 656, plural posts 65 a, an inlet valve channel 651, an outletvalve channel 652 and a pressure chamber 657. The plural posts 65 a areformed on the third surface 655. The posts 65 a are aligned with thecorresponding recesses 63 b of the valve body 63. When the posts 65 aare inserted into the corresponding recesses 63 b of the valve body 63,the valve body 63 and the valve chamber seat 65 are locked and combinedtogether. The inlet valve channel 651 and the outlet valve channel 652penetrate the third surface 655 and the fourth surface 656. A groove 653is formed in the third surface 655 and disposed around the inlet valvechannel 651. A protrusion block 6521 is disposed on the periphery of theoutlet valve channel 652. A groove 654 is formed in the third surface655 and disposed around the outlet valve channel 652. The pressurechamber 657 is concavely formed in the fourth surface 656, and incommunication with the inlet valve channel 651 and the outlet valvechannel 652. Moreover, a concave structure 658 is formed in the fourthsurface 656 and disposed around the pressure chamber 657.

FIG. 8 is a schematic top view illustrating the valve membrane of thefluid transportation device of FIG. 4. Please refer to FIGS. 5A, 5B and8. In an embodiment, the valve membrane 64 is made of polyimide (PI),and the valve membrane 64 is produced by a reactive ion etching (RIE)process, in which a photosensitive photoresist is applied to the valvestructure and the pattern of the valve structure is exposed to light,then the polyimide layer uncovered by the photoresist is etched so thatthe valve structure of the valve membrane 64 is formed. The valvemembrane 64 is a flat thin film structure. As shown in FIG. 8, the valvemembrane 64 comprises two valve plates 641 a and 641 b at two perforatedregions 64 a and 64 b, respectively. The two valve plates 641 a and 641b have the same thickness. The valve membrane 64 further comprisesplural extension parts 642 a and 642 b. The extension parts 642 a and642 b are arranged around the valve plates 641 a and 641 b forelastically supporting the valve plates 641 a and 641 b. The valvemembrane 64 further comprises plural hollow parts 643 a and 643 b, eachof which is formed between two adjacent extension parts 642 a and 642 b.When an external force is exerted on any one of the valve plates 641 aand 641 b, deformation and displacement of which occur, since it iselastically supported by the extension parts 642 a and 642 b.Consequently, a valve structure is formed. Preferably but notexclusively, the valve plates 641 a and 641 b have circular shapes,rectangular shapes, square shapes or arbitrary shapes. The valvemembrane 64 further comprises plural positioning holes 64 c. The posts65 a of the valve chamber seat 65 are inserted into the correspondingpositioning holes 64 c. Consequently, the valve membrane 64 ispositioned on the valve chamber seat 65. Meanwhile, the inlet valvechannel 651 and the outlet valve channel 652 are respectively covered bythe valve plates 641 a and 641 b (see FIG. 8). In this embodiment, thevalve chamber seat 65 comprises two posts 65 a and valve membrane 64comprises two positioning holes 64 c. It is noted that the number of theposts 65 a and the number of the positioning holes 64 c are notrestricted.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the assembledstructure of the fluid transportation device of FIG. 4. When the valvebody 63 and the valve chamber seat 65 are combined together, foursealing rings 68 a, 68 b, 68 c and 68 d are received in the groove 6341of the valve body 63, the groove 6342 of the valve body 63, the groove653 of the valve chamber seat 65 and the groove 654 of the valve chamberseat 65, respectively. Due to the sealing rings 68 a, 68 b, 68 c and 68d, the fluid is not leaked out after the valve body 63 and the valvechamber seat 65 are combined together. The inlet passage 631 of thevalve body 63 is aligned with the inlet valve channel 651 of the valvechamber seat 65. The communication between the inlet passage 631 and theinlet valve channel 651 is selectively enabled or disabled through thevalve plate 641 a of the valve membrane 64. The outlet passage 632 ofthe valve body 63 is aligned with the outlet valve channel 652 of thevalve chamber seat 65. The communication between the outlet passage 632and the outlet valve channel 652 is selectively enabled or disabledthrough the valve plate 641 b of the valve membrane 64. When the valveplate 641 a of the valve membrane 64 is opened, the fluid is transferredfrom the inlet passage 631 to the pressure chamber 657 through the inletvalve channel 651. When the valve plate 641 b of the valve membrane 64is opened, the fluid is transferred from the pressure chamber 657 to theoutlet passage 632 through the outlet valve channel 652.

Please refer to FIGS. 5A and 5B again. The actuator 66 comprises avibration plate 661 and a piezoelectric element 662. The piezoelectricelement 662 may be a square plate, and is attached on the surface of thevibration plate 661. In an embodiment, the vibration plate 661 is madeof a metallic material, and the piezoelectric element 662 is made of ahighly-piezoelectric material such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT)piezoelectric powder. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectricelement 662, the piezoelectric element 662 is subjected to adeformation. Consequently, the vibration plate 661 is vibrated along thevertical direction in the reciprocating manner to drive the operation ofthe fluid transportation device 6. In this embodiment, the vibrationplate 661 of the actuator 66 is assembled with the fourth surface 656 ofthe valve chamber seat 65 to cover the pressure chamber 657. Asmentioned above, the concave structure 658 is formed in the fourthsurface 656 and disposed around the pressure chamber 657. For preventingfrom the fluid leakage, a sealing ring 68 e is received in the concavestructure 658.

As mentioned above, the valve body 63, the valve membrane 64, the valvechamber seat 65 and the actuator 66 are the main components of the fluidtransportation device 6 for guiding the fluid. In accordance with thefeature of the present invention, the fluid transportation device 6 hasa specified mechanism for assembling and positioning these components.That is, it is not necessary to use the fastening elements (e.g.,screws, nuts or bolts) to fasten these components. In an embodiment, thevalve body 63, the valve membrane 64, the valve chamber seat 65 and theactuator 66 are sequentially stacked on each other and accommodatedwithin the outer sleeve 67. Then, a valve cover 62 is tight-fitted intothe outer sleeve 67. Consequently, the fluid transportation device 6 isassembled. The mechanism for assembling and positioning these componentswill be described as follows.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the outer sleeve ofthe fluid transportation device of FIG. 4. Please refer to FIGS. 5A, 5Band 9. The outer sleeve 67 is made of a metallic material. Anaccommodation space is defined by an inner wall 671 of the outer sleeve67. Moreover, a ring-shaped protrusion structure 672 is formed on thelower portion of the inner wall 671 of the outer sleeve 67.

FIG. 10A is a schematic perspective view illustrating the valve cover ofthe fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along the frontside. FIG. 10B is a schematic perspective view illustrating the valvecover of the fluid transportation device of FIG. 4 and taken along therear side. The valve cover 62 is also made of a metallic material. Thevalve cover 62 comprises a first via 621 and a second via 622. The inletpassage 631 and the outlet passage 632 of the valve body 63 are insertedinto the first via 621 and the second via 622, respectively. Moreover, abottom edge of the valve cover 62 has a chamfer structure 623. The outerdiameter of the valve cover 62 is slightly larger than the innerdiameter of the outer sleeve 67.

Please refer to FIGS. 5A and 5B again. The valve body 63, the valvemembrane 64, the valve chamber seat 65 and the actuator 66 aresequentially stacked on each other and placed into the accommodationspace within the inner wall 671 of the outer sleeve 67, being supportedby the ring-shaped protrusion structure 672 of the outer sleeve 67. Asmentioned above, the outer diameter of the valve cover 62 is slightlylarger than the inner diameter of the outer sleeve 67. Due to thechamfer structure 623, the valve cover 62 is tight-fitted into the outersleeve 67. Consequently, the combination of the valve body 63, the valvemembrane 64, the valve chamber seat 65 and the actuator 66 is securelyfixed between the valve cover 62 and the outer sleeve 67. Meanwhile, thefluid transportation device 6 is assembled. In this embodiment, theactuator 66 is also disposed within the accommodation space of the outersleeve 67. When piezoelectric element 662 is subjected to a deformationin response to the applied voltage, the vibration plate 661 is vibratedalong the vertical direction in the reciprocating manner. In otherwords, it is not necessary to use the fastening elements (e.g., screws,nuts or bolts) to fasten the components of the fluid transportationdevice 6.

Please refer to FIG. 11 again. The inlet valve channel 651 of the valvechamber seat 65 is aligned with the inlet via 6311 of the valve body 63,and the inlet valve channel 651 of the valve chamber seat 65 and theinlet via 6311 of the valve body 63 are selectively in communicationwith each other through the valve plate 641 a of the valve membrane 64.When the inlet via 6311 of the valve body 63 is closed by the valveplate 641 a, the valve plate 641 a is in close contact with theprotrusion block 6343 of the valve body 63. Consequently, a pre-force isgenerated to result in a stronger sealing effect, and the fluid will notbe returned back. Similarly, the outlet valve channel 652 of the valvechamber seat 65 is aligned with the outlet via 6321 of the valve body63, and the outlet valve channel 652 of the valve chamber seat 65 andthe outlet via 6321 of the valve body 63 are selectively incommunication with each other through the valve plate 641 b of the valvemembrane 64. When the outlet valve channel 652 of the valve chamber seat65 is closed by the valve plate 641 b, the valve plate 641 b is in closecontact with the protrusion block 6521 of the valve chamber seat 65.Consequently, a pre-force is generated to result in a stronger sealingeffect, and the fluid will not be returned back to the pressure chamber657. Under this circumstance, in case that the fluid transportationdevice 6 is disabled, the fluid is not returned back to the inletpassage 631 and the outlet passage 632 of the valve body 63.

The operations of the fluid transportation device 6 will be described inmore details as follows. FIG. 12A is a schematic view illustrating theoperations of the fluid transportation device in a first situation. Whenthe piezoelectric element 662 of the actuator 66 is subjected to adeformation in response to the applied voltage and causes downwardlydeformation of the vibration plate 661, the volume of the pressurechamber 657 is expanded to result in suction. In response to thesuction, the valve plate 641 a of the valve membrane 64 is quicklyopened. Consequently, a great amount of the fluid is inhaled into theinlet passage 631 of the valve body 63, transferred to the pressurechamber 657 through the inlet via 6311 of the valve body 63, the hollowparts 643 a of the valve membrane 64 and the inlet valve channel 651 ofthe valve chamber seat 65. Then, the inhaled fluid is temporarily storedin the pressure chamber 657. Since the suction is also exerted on theoutlet valve channel 652, the valve plate 641 b supported by theextension parts 642 b of the valve membrane 64 is in close contact withthe protrusion block 6521 of the valve chamber seat 65. Consequently,the valve plate 641 b is tightly closed.

FIG. 12B is a schematic view illustrating the operations of the fluidtransportation device in a second situation. Once, the direction ofelectric field which is applied to the piezoelectric element 662 ischanged, the piezoelectric element 662 drives the vibration plate 661 todeform upwardly, and the volume of the pressure chamber 657 is shrunken.As a result, the fluid within the pressure chamber 657 is compressed,generating a pushing force applied to the inlet valve channel 651. Inresponse to the pushing force, the valve plate 641 a supported by theextension parts 642 a of the valve membrane 64 is in close contact withthe protrusion block 6343 of the valve body 63 to be closed.Consequently, the fluid cannot be returned back to the inlet valvechannel 651. Meanwhile, the pushing force is also applied to the outletvalve channel 652. In response to the pushing force, the valve plate 641b supported by the extension parts 642 b of the valve membrane 64 isseparated from the protrusion block 6521 to be open. Consequently, thefluid is transferred from the pressure chamber 657 to the externalportion of the fluid transportation device 6 through the outlet valvechannel 652 of the valve chamber seat 65, the hollow parts 643 b of thevalve membrane 64, the outlet via 6321 of the valve body 63 and theoutlet passage 632 of the valve body 63, sequentially.

The processes of FIGS. 12A and 12B are repeatedly done. Consequently,the fluid can be transferred by the fluid transportation device 6 athigh efficiency without being returned back.

The fluid transportation device 6 is disposed between the sensing unit 3and the atomizer 4. The inlet passage 631 and the input channel 6 a ofthe fluid transportation device 6 are connected with each other. Thefluid transportation device 6 is in communication with the liquidcontainer 52 through the input channel 6 a. The outlet passage 632 andthe output channel 6 b of the fluid transportation device 6 areconnected with each other. The output channel 6 b of the fluidtransportation device 6 is in communication with the input port 441 ofthe liquid conduit 44 of the atomizer 4. When the fluid transportationdevice 6 is enabled, the cigarette liquid is transferred from the liquidcontainer 52 to the liquid conduit 44 through the fluid transportationdevice 6 and then transferred to the outside of the liquid conduit 44through the perforations 442. In response to the control signal from thecontrol module 22, the fluid transportation device 6 is enabled. Sincethe fluid transportation device 6 is used as a switch element, thecigarette liquid is transferred from the liquid container 52 to theliquid conduit 44 through the fluid transportation device 6 at a certainamount. Under the same pressure, the cigarette liquid is uniformlytransferred to the outside of the liquid conduit 44 through theperforations 442 to generate uniform droplets. Once the cigarette liquidin the liquid conduit 44 reaches a saturation state, the fluidtransportation device 6 is disabled. In other words, the cooperation ofthe fluid transportation device 6 and the atomizer 4 forms acontrollable switch element in order for precisely controlling theamount of the cigarette liquid to be transferred to the atomizer 4.Consequently, the taste of the atomized vapor is enhanced, and theliquid leakage problem is solved.

Please refer to FIGS. 2A and 2C. The mouthpiece 9 is located at an endof the second casing 1 b. Moreover, the mouthpiece 9 is in communicationwith the passageway 51 of the liquid storage structure 5. The mouthpiece9 comprises a filter 91 and a mouth 92. The filter 91 is located at anend of the passageway 51 of the liquid storage structure 5. In case thatthe cigarette liquid is not atomized, the cigarette liquid is stopped bythe filter 91. Consequently, the cigarette liquid cannot be inhaled bythe user. In one embodiment, the cigarette liquid is blocked by thefilter 91 when being initially heated and incompletely atomized suchthat a guard against inhalation as a protection measure is formed. Inanother embodiment, the filter 91 is disposed on a second end of thepassageway 51, and the electric heater 41 is disposed on a first end ofthe passageway 51.

The operations of the electronic cigarette will be described as follows.When the user smokes and inhales the air through the mouth 92 of themouthpiece 9, the airflow flows through the electronic cigarette.According to the sensing result of the sensing unit 3, the electriccircuit of the electronic cigarette is enabled. After the electriccircuit of the electronic cigarette is enabled, the power supply device2 provides electric power to the heater module 23. Consequently, theelectric heater 41 is enabled to heat the cigarette liquid. Meanwhile,the cigarette liquid is heated and atomized by the electric heater 41.The cooperation of the fluid transportation device 6 and the atomizer 4forms a controllable switch element in order for precisely controllingthe amount of the cigarette liquid to be transferred to the atomizer 4at a certain amount. Consequently, the user inhales the atomized vaporfrom the passageway 51 of the liquid storage structure 5 through themouth 92 of the mouthpiece 9. When the user stops smoking through themouth 92 of the mouthpiece 9, the airflow does not flow through theelectronic cigarette. According to the sensing result of the sensingunit 3, the electric circuit of the electronic cigarette is disabled.Meanwhile, the electric heater 41 is disabled.

When the user inhales the atomized vapor through the mouth 92 of themouthpiece 9, the air pressure sensor 32 issues a detection signal tothe control module 22 according to the result of detecting the pressureof the airflow. According to the detection signal, the control module 22adjusts the speed of atomizing the cigarette liquid and the speed ofproviding the cigarette liquid. That is, the control signal from thecontrol module 22 is adjusted according to the detection signal. Sincethe driving frequency of the fluid transportation device 6 and thedriving power of the heater module 23 are correspondingly changedaccording to the control signal, the speed of atomizing the cigaretteliquid and the speed of providing the cigarette liquid are adjusted.Consequently, the user can inhale a great amount of atomized vaporquickly, or the user can inhale the same amount of atomized vapor.

From the above descriptions, the present invention provides theelectronic cigarette. The cooperation of the fluid transportation deviceand the liquid conduit of the atomizer forms the controllable switchelement. The amount of the cigarette liquid to be transferred to theatomizer is precisely controlled by the controllable switch element. Theelectronic cigarette includes an airflow sensor and an air pressuresensor. The air pressure sensor issues a detection signal to the controlmodule according to the result of detecting the pressure of the airflow.According to the detection signal, a control module adjusts the speed ofatomizing the cigarette liquid and the speed of providing the cigaretteliquid. That is, the control signal from the control module is adjustedaccording to the detection signal. Since the driving frequency of thefluid transportation device and the driving power of the heater moduleare correspondingly changed according to the control signal, the speedof atomizing the cigarette liquid and the speed of providing thecigarette liquid are adjusted. Consequently, the fluid can betransferred by the fluid transportation device at high efficiencywithout being returned back. Since the amount of the cigarette liquid isprecisely controlled, the droplets are uniformly generated, the taste ofthe atomized vapor is enhanced, and the liquid leakage problem issolved. In other words, the electronic cigarette with the fluidtransportation device is industrially valuable.

While the invention has been described in terms of what is presentlyconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is tobe understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosedembodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similarstructures.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic cigarette, comprising: a powersupply device providing a driving power and a control signal; a sensingunit switches on or off an electric circuit of the power supply deviceaccording to an airflow detected by the sensing unit; an atomizercomprising an electric heater and a liquid conduit, wherein the liquidconduit has an input port at one end and plural perforations at theother end, and the electric heater is disposed around the liquidconduit; a liquid storage structure comprising a passageway allowing theairflow to pass therethrough and a liquid container, wherein theelectric heater is disposed on a first end of the passageway; and acigarette liquid is stored in the liquid container; a fluidtransportation device comprising an input channel and an output channel;wherein the input channel in communication with the liquid containerenables the cigarette liquid to be transferred to the liquid conduit andthen the cigarette liquid is transferred to an outside of the liquidconduit through the plural perforations so that the cigarette liquidtransferred to the electric heater of the atomizer for generating anatomized vapor is controlled at a certain amount; a casing beingprovided with the power supply device, the sensing unit, the fluidtransportation device, the atomizer, the liquid storage structure and anintake-and-electric-connection element disposed therewithin, wherein thecasing has an inlet for the airflow to pass through, wherein after theairflow is fed into the inlet, the airflow passes through the sensingunit and the passageway of the liquid storage structure along an airflowpath, and wherein the fluid transportation device and the electricheater of the atomizer are electrically connected with the power supplydevice and the sensing unit through the intake-and-electric-connectionelement for receiving an electric power and the control signal; and amouthpiece sealing an end of the casing and having a mouth incommunication with the passageway of the liquid storage structure forinhaling the atomized vapor in the passageway of the liquid storagestructure, wherein the fluid transportation device further comprises: avalve cover comprising a first via and a second via; a valve bodycomprising an inlet passage, an outlet passage, a first surface and asecond surface, wherein the inlet passage and the outlet passagepenetrate the first surface and the second surface, an inlet via isformed in the second surface and in communication with the inletpassage, an outlet via is formed in the second surface and incommunication with the outlet passage, wherein the inlet passage isconnected with the input channel, and the outlet passage is connectedwith the output channel; a valve membrane comprising two valve plates,plural extension parts and plural hollow parts, wherein the two valveplates have the same thickness, the plural extension parts are disposedaround the valve plates for elastically supporting the valve plates, andthe hollow parts are disposed between the extension parts; a valvechamber seat comprising a third surface, a fourth surface, an inletvalve channel, an outlet valve channel and a pressure chamber, whereinthe inlet valve channel and the outlet valve channel penetrate the thirdsurface and the fourth surface, the two valve plates are supported onthe inlet valve channel and the outlet valve channel, the pressurechamber is concavely formed in the fourth surface, and the pressurechamber is in communication with the inlet valve channel and the outletvalve channel; an actuator, wherein the pressure chamber of the valvechamber seat is covered by the actuator; and an outer sleeve, wherein anaccommodation space is defined by an inner wall of the outer sleeve, anda ring-shaped protrusion structure is formed on the inner wall of theouter sleeve, wherein the valve body, the valve membrane, the valvechamber seat and the actuator are sequentially stacked on each other,accommodated within the accommodation space of the outer sleeve, andsupported on the ring-shaped protrusion structure, wherein the inletpassage and the outlet passage of the valve body are respectivelyinserted into the first via and the second via of the valve cover,wherein while the actuator is enabled, the cigarette liquid is fed intothe inlet passage and outputted from the outlet passage.
 2. Theelectronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the casing is anassembly of a first casing and a second casing, wherein the power supplydevice and the sensing unit are disposed within the first casing, andthe fluid transportation device, the atomizer and the liquid storagestructure are disposed within the second casing.
 3. The electroniccigarette according to claim 1, wherein the power supply devicecomprises a power module, a control module, a heater module and a lightemitting diode.
 4. The electronic cigarette according to claim 3,wherein the power module of the power supply device is a rechargeablebattery for providing the driving power to the control module, theheater module, the sensing unit and the fluid transportation device. 5.The electronic cigarette according to claim 3, wherein the power moduleof the power supply device is a disposable battery for providing thedriving power to the control module, the heater module, the sensing unitand the fluid transportation device.
 6. The electronic cigaretteaccording to claim 3, wherein the control module provides a firstcontrol signal to the heater module and provides a second control signaland the driving power to the fluid transportation device.
 7. Theelectronic cigarette according to claim 3, wherein the heater module ofthe power supply device provides electric energy to the electric heaterof the atomizer.
 8. The electronic cigarette according to claim 3,wherein the light emitting diode of the power supply device is locatedat a front end of the casing, wherein under control of the controlmodule, the light emitting diode is turned on or turned off to provideor not provide a prompt signal so as to indicate an operating conditionof the electronic cigarette.
 9. The electronic cigarette according toclaim 3, wherein the light emitting diode of the power supply device islocated at a front end of the casing, wherein under control of thecontrol module, the light emitting diode provides a prompt signal toindicate an intensity of the atomized vapor.
 10. The electroniccigarette according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit includes anairflow sensor and an air pressure sensor, wherein the electric circuitof the power supply device is selectively enabled or disabled accordingto a result of detecting the airflow by the airflow sensor, and the airpressure sensor issues a detection signal to the control moduleaccording to a result of detecting a pressure of the airflow, whereinaccording to the detection signal, the control module adjusts a speed ofatomizing the cigarette liquid and a speed of providing the cigaretteliquid.
 11. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein theliquid conduit is a stainless steel tube.
 12. The electronic cigaretteaccording to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece further comprises a filterlocated at an end of the passageway of the liquid storage structure suchthat the cigarette liquid is blocked by the filter when being initiallyheated and incompletely atomized such that a guard against inhalation asa protection measure is formed.
 13. The electronic cigarette accordingto claim 1, wherein plural recesses are formed in the second surface ofthe valve body, and plural posts are formed on the third surface of thevalve chamber seat, wherein the plural posts are inserted into thecorresponding recesses, so that the valve chamber seat is fixed on thevalve body.
 14. The electronic cigarette according to claim 13, whereinthe valve membrane is disposed between the valve body and the valvechamber seat, and the valve membrane comprises plural positioning holescorresponding to the plural posts, wherein the plural posts are insertedinto the corresponding positioning holes, so that the valve membrane ispositioned and supported on the valve chamber seat.
 15. The electroniccigarette according to claim 1, wherein a first groove is formed in thesecond surface and disposed around the inlet via, a second groove isformed in the second surface and disposed around the outlet via, a thirdgroove is formed in the third surface and disposed around the inletvalve channel, and a fourth groove is formed in the third surface anddisposed around the outlet valve channel, wherein the fluidtransportation device further comprises plural sealing rings, and theplural sealing rings are received in the first groove, the secondgroove, the third groove and the fourth groove, respectively.
 16. Theelectronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein a first protrusionblock is formed on the second surface of the valve body and disposed ona periphery of the inlet via, and a second protrusion block is formed onthe third surface and disposed on a periphery of the outlet valvechannel, wherein the first protrusion block and the second protrusionblock are cooperated with the two valve plates respectively to formpre-forces for sealing and preventing the cigarette liquid fromreturning back.
 17. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1,wherein the actuator comprises a vibration plate and a piezoelectricelement, wherein the piezoelectric element is attached on a surface ofthe vibration plate, the piezoelectric element is subjected to adeformation in response to an applied voltage, and the vibration plateof the actuator is assembled with the fourth surface of the valvechamber seat to cover the pressure chamber.